High-Level Committee on Demographic Change
Why in News?
The High-Level Committee on Demographic Change (HLCDC) is in the news because the Modi government formally constituted it on May 25, 2026, to scientifically study demographic shifts caused by illegal immigration. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the panel, headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, to recommend measures for strengthening border management and national security.
Committee Composition
The government has formed a high-powered panel consisting of prominent legal, administrative, security, and economic experts:
- Chairman: Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar (Retired Supreme Court Judge).
- Members:
- The Census Commissioner of India.
- Shri Durga Shankar Mishra (Retired IAS officer).
- Shri Balaji Srivastava (Retired IPS officer).
- Dr. Shamika Ravi (Distinguished Economist).
- Member Secretary: The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Key Objectives and Terms of Reference (ToR)
The committee is tasked with studying abnormal population variations and introducing immediate, sustainable institutional fixes.
- Scientific Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive, data-driven study of population shifts occurring across India due to border infiltration and other unnatural elements.
- Community-Level Analysis: Analyse abnormal population spikes and structural shifts at the level of specific religious and social communities, particularly where data deviates from normal trends.
- Identify Underlying Factors: Pinpoint causes behind changes such as cross-border activities, abnormal settlement patterns, economic pull factors, and orchestrated migration.
- Streamline Deportation: Recommend a permanent, fair, and legally binding operational framework for the time-bound identification, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants.
- Sovereignty & Social Security: Evaluate the impact of demographic shifts on national security, local law and order, changes in the social fabric, and the preservation of tribal communities.
- Strengthen Borders & Identification: Suggest modern institutional mechanisms to enhance border management, population stabilization, and continuous identification monitoring systems.
- Central-State Policy Framework: Propose a unified policy framework to improve coordination between Central and State Governments regarding illegal immigration challenges.
Timeline and Submission
- Initial Deadline: The committee is mandated to submit its comprehensive report and actionable recommendations within one year.
- Extension: If required, the Ministry of Home Affairs has the administrative authority to extend the committee's tenure by a maximum of six months.
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